ON THE LIST OF “MÉMOIRE DU MONDE”, UNESCO (PART I)
The exhibition brought together some extremely important parts of Albanian history and culture that, against all odds, survived for many, many centuries.
One of the star attractions of the exhibition was the “Codex Purpureus Beratinus”. These two codices were found in Berat, Albania with the first Beratinus 1 dating from the 6th century, and the second Beratinus 2 dating from the 9th century. Together with five other codices, they form a part of the Purple Codices, two of which were preserved and protected for centuries in Albania, one is kept in France, one in England, and one in Greece. These codices represent one of the oldest New Testament archetypes and were an important point of reference for the development of global biblical literature. These two codices are considered as the most valuable treasures of the Albanian cultural heritage and it impresses me that despite years of turmoil, they have endured thanks to the protection and preservation of the Albanian people.
The codex contains 190 extant parchment
The title and the first line in Mark are written in gold.
"During World War II, Hitler learned of it and sought it out.
Several monks and priests risked their lives to hide the manuscript.
It formerly belonged to the St. George Church in Berat, Albania,
“the beginning of Christianity in Illyria dates back to apostolic times”
Copies available for students to study. Scholars in London are using them to try and produce a Bible acceptable to both Orthodox and Catholic churches.
Evidence that Berat has been "the capital of Christianity in the Balkans."
The preservation of the two codices was entrusted to a secret council of the occult type. It consisted of three people and in this hermetic trio only one of them had the right to know the hiding place. When this one passed away, another was chosen in his capacity of the mysterious trio. In the years of World War II, even the last of the trio cell, had passed away.
